The vision Logan City Council, Queensland, has for the Albert River is becoming clearer with its plans to demolish Luscombe Weir.
The project will remove a river barrier constructed in the 1950s to provide water for Beenleigh. It no longer serves that purpose.
The removal of the weir is a joint project with City of the Gold Coast as that section of the Albert River is the city border.
Removal of the barrier will also improve waterway health, enhance fish passage and eliminate future maintenance costs.
Councillor, Teresa Lane said the move was a win for the community and the environment.
“Activities such as kayaking and fishing are already popular at the weir and this will make it even easier to enjoy the Albert River and all it has to offer.
“Removing the barrier will be great for the native fish population which in turn opens up eco-tourism opportunities.”
Councillor, Laurie Koranski said returning the river to its natural state was the right thing to do.
“Both councils deserve to be commended for devising a solution that benefits the community and the environment.”
The cost of removal and restoration will be shared between the councils with a tender process to begin shortly.
The Albert River is a place of spiritual significance for the Yuggera and Yugambeh language groups.
The traditional name of the river is Billinooba, meaning ‘place of parrots’.
In 2017 researchers confirmed the presence of platypus in the river.
Platypus are listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Logan City Council has a number of projects underway through its Logan and Albert River Vision program and Waterways Recovery Plan that aim to rehabilitate the two waterways and their tributaries.
